Atlanta Hosts Catholic Charities USA Centennial Summit

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Feb 24, 2010, 01:17 ET

Landmark Regional Conference Engages Community to Generate 'Big Ideas' to Develop Legislation that Reduces Poverty in America

ATLANTA, Feb. 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Catholic Charities USA, hosted by Catholic Charities Atlanta and joined by Catholic Charities agencies from around the region, convened one of 10 Centennial Summits today at the Loudermilk Center, as part of the organization's 100 year history. The purpose of the day-long Summit was to identify "big ideas" and keep the conversation moving toward developing landmark legislation to reduce poverty in America.

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The event brought together civic leaders, elected officials and all interested parties to address the devastation of poverty in this country.

Rev. Larry Snyder, president of Catholic Charities USA and a member of the White House Council of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships, was joined by Atlanta Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory; Jackie Parker, vice president of global diversity, Newell Rubbermaid; Bill Bolling, executive director, Atlanta Community Food Bank; Mark Crozet, senior vice president development, Habitat for Humanity International; Michael A. Young, chief executive officer, Grady Health Systems; and John A. Berry, executive director, St. Vincent de Paul.

"In a country like ours, even in these tough times, it is simply unacceptable that close to 40 million people live in poverty," said Fr, Snyder. "Catholic Charities agencies and Catholic Charities USA seek a sustained national commitment that will ensure a reduction in poverty. Together, we can lift each other up. Only collectively can we begin to change the face of poverty."

"We are very honored to host one of the historic Catholic Charities USA Centennial Summits," said Joseph Krygiel Executive Director of Catholic Charities Atlanta. "It is a very special -- yet very sobering -- experience to come together in an effort to re-focus and re-commit on the critical front of poverty. We are pleased with the great participation and support from Atlanta and the state of Georgia."

A special photo exhibition, a collaborative effort of Catholic Charities USA and AmericanPoverty.org, accompanied the Summit. The moving visual portrayal of poverty in urban and rural areas of America features the work of top American photographers, including award-winning Time Magazine veteran, Steve Liss.

The Atlanta Summit is part of a nationwide series that will culminate in Washington, DC, on for Catholic Charities USA's Centennial September 25-28, 2010. The summits provide a forum for thought-leaders, major influencers and citizens-at-large to come together and act on poverty. For more information visit: www.CatholicCharitiesUSA.org/Centennial.

Catholic Charities USA's members -- more than 1,700 local Catholic Charities agencies and institutions nationwide -- provide help and create hope for nearly 8.5 million people a year regardless of religious, social, or economic backgrounds. For almost 300 years, Catholic Charities agencies have worked to reduce poverty by providing a myriad of vital services in their communities, ranging from health care and job training to food and housing. In 2010, Catholic Charities USA celebrates its centennial anniversary.

SOURCE Catholic Charities USA